Texans notes: LB Ryans suffers elbow injury

Published 5:30 am, Thursday, August 18, 2011

INJURY REPORT

A lot of players were on the sideline Wednesday because of injuries, including inside linebacker DeMeco Ryans. Coach Gary Kubiak said Ryans suffered an elbow injury in the victory over the New York Jets. Ryans was told to stay inside and rehab his elbow during the morning practice.

"Yeah, I have been," he said. "He's missed a lot of time as a pro football player, and we're waiting to get him out here. But I will say this, from what I saw this morning, I'm hoping like heck he's on this field (Thursday morning).

"We'll see, but it looked like he took a big step forward and needs to get out here and compete."

SHOOTING STAR

Coach Gary Kubiak said he was so impressed with rookie receiver Lestar Jean's performance against the Jets and in practice that he's getting a promotion against New Orleans so he'll have more opportunities for receptions.

Coach Gary Kubiak said he was so impressed with rookie receiver Lestar Jean's performance against the Jets and in practice that he's getting a promotion against New Orleans so he'll have more opportunities for receptions.

Jean, an undrafted free agent from Florida Atlantic, had two catches for 53 yards on the winning touchdown against the Jets.

"Well, I just knew that it was going to be competition," Jean said. "My motto is to outwork everyone. I just knew they had great receivers, and I'm just trying to learn from them."

Fullback Lawrence Vickers, who spent his first five seasons at Cleveland, came off the bench behind James Casey against the Jets. Vickers is known as a ferocious lead blocker. He said if the Texans would throw him the ball, he'd shown them he has good hands.

Fullback Lawrence Vickers, who spent his first five seasons at Cleveland, came off the bench behind James Casey against the Jets. Vickers is known as a ferocious lead blocker. He said if the Texans would throw him the ball, he'd shown them he has good hands.

Vickers had one catch for 22 yards. Now he's fired up to do more against New Orleans.

"I'm going to get in my book, make sure I work hard, stretch and bring the energy and passion to the game that I always do," Vickers said.

Vickers has been impressed with his new teammates, especially his offensive line.

"I think they're very impressive," he said. "They like to move quicker and cut down that back side within the zone schemes. They all like to keep it flowing, and they're all smart.

"They've been together. They play with each other, so that's always a plus when you have an O-line that knows each other."

People are still talking about the Texans' defensive performance against the Jets. Reserves recorded seven sacks, including six by linebackers. Phillips didn't cal anything exotic because it was the preseason opener.

"I didn't expect that many sacks," he said. "Most of the stuff we ran was base defense, and we didn't run any blitzes. And I thought our pass rush was good."

The defense stopped the Jets on their last drive to secure the 20-16 victory.

"I thought we did a good job," Phillips said. "We played hard. We made some mistakes, obviously, but we're looking for effort and assignment, making sure we didn't have any mental errors.

"You learn from those kinds of situations how you have to win games. And our guys that were in there at the end did a good job."

RACKERS IN PERFECT FORM

Neil Rackers kicked field goals of 49 and 47 yards working with a new holder and snapper. Punter Brad Maynard was the holder. Scott Albritton, signed two days before the game because of Jon Weeks' ankle injury, was the new holder.

"The holder and the snapper did a nice job," Rackers said. "I was comfortable. It's weird looking at someone other than (punter and holder Dan) Turk, but that's part of it sometimes. They both did a good job.

"You tell them how you like it (ball) put down, and they did that. It's not the first rodeo for either of them."

THAT'S NO BULL:

The Texans will host the Running of the Bulls 5K on Oct. 16. The run/walk starts at 8 a.m. and will be joined by TORO's Kids 1K.

The Texans will host the Running of the Bulls 5K on Oct. 16. The run/walk starts at 8 a.m. and will be joined by TORO's Kids 1K.

For more information, go to www.houstontexans.com. HE SAID IT "Do I feel myself? Is this an X-rated interview? I feel like myself every day." — the one and only Arian Foster, when asked Wednesday how he felt

Strength: Not flashy, positions himself well, doesn't make mistakes; smart

Weakness: Not a high-end athlete, nor a big hitter

Outlook: Demps, a San Antonio native, played with the 2s Monday alongside Troy Nolan and was solid. A safe option in the secondary.

BY THE NUMBERS

1 - League-wide ranking in sacks for linebacker Xavier Adibi after one preseason game; he's tied with nine others, including former teammate Amobi Okoye, who is now with Chicago

1 - League-wide ranking in sacks for linebacker Xavier Adibi after one preseason game; he's tied with nine others, including former teammate Amobi Okoye, who is now with Chicago

6 - Where Chris Ogbonnaya ranks in the league during the preseason in receiving yards; the fifth-string running back has 67.

116 - Hours that will have elapsed between the end of the Texans' first preseason game against New York and the start of their second against New Orleans

208 - Passing yards surrendered Monday night to Jets rookie quarterback Greg McElroy, who is leading the NFL during the preseason in yardage

McCLAIN'S TAKE

When the players arrived at the practice field for Wednesday morning's workout, I was doing my regular gig on Sports Radio 610. While the players passed us, we counted the ones who wouldn't be practicing because of injuries. As the list grew, I could imagine the coaches' frustration at missing so many players.

When the players arrived at the practice field for Wednesday morning's workout, I was doing my regular gig on Sports Radio 610. While the players passed us, we counted the ones who wouldn't be practicing because of injuries. As the list grew, I could imagine the coaches' frustration at missing so many players.

One of the reasons the players like and respect coach Gary Kubiak is that he always seems to be sensitive to their needs. That comes from his nine years of NFL experience. That was the case Wednesday.

Kubiak put his team through a spirited workout, but he stopped it 40 minutes short because they were so shorthanded at so many positions. The players were relieved, of course. None like training camp, especially in the Houston heat and humidity.

As soon as practice ended, Kubiak met with the media on the field. The first question was about inside linebacker DeMeco Ryans' absence. Kubiak explained that Ryans suffered an elbow injury in Monday's 20-16 victory over the Jets. He said he told Ryans to stay at the stadium and undergo rehab rather than come on the practice field. I'm sure Ryans was happy to beat the heat.

As they were leaving and field and finishing interviews, a lot of players said they were grateful at Kubiak shortening practice. They're in an unusual position of playing a Saturday game after a Monday game, and Kubiak wants to make sure they're ready physically and mentally when they tangle with the Saints.

DID YOU KNOW?

- When the Texans visit the San Francisco 49ers Aug. 27, it will have been their third preseason game in 13 days, usually a span of time in which teams play two games.

- When the Texans visit the San Francisco 49ers Aug. 27, it will have been their third preseason game in 13 days, usually a span of time in which teams play two games.

- Gary Kubiak began his coaching career guiding the running backs at his alma mater, Texas A&M, in 1992-93.

- According to Forbes Magazine, the Texans are the ninth most valuable franchise in the world, worth an estimated $1.17 billion.